Smith looking for Deva play-off boost

WREXHAM make the short cross-border journey to Chester City this evening in the knowledge that anything less than victory will effectively end their challenge for a place in the end-of-season play-offs.

WREXHAM make the short cross-border journey to Chester City this evening in the knowledge that anything less than victory will effectively end their challenge for a place in the end-of-season play-offs.

But Racecourse boss Denis Smith says three points from the Deva Stadium derby clash would be just the spur that's needed to kick on and gatecrash the top seven for the first time this year.

Still smarting from Sunday's home defeat at the hands of Shrewsbury Town, the Dragons' boss admitted that City would start favourites following a three-match winning run that has eased their fears of relegation, despite the fact his side's last victory came in the recent Racecourse meeting between the long-standing rivals.

"The Shrewsbury game is gone, but it means we now have to win matches, starting against a team who will be up for it and fancying their chances," he said.

"If we win tomorrow, the gap is back to two points and everyone will be in a buoyant mood again - that's how tight it is. Every match between now and the end of the season is a cup final because we are beginning to run out of time.

"But, while the points are there to be played for, I'm not giving up on it, and that goes for the players as well. We can only affect what lies in front of us and what we need at this stage is a result to drive us on and take us through."

Smith has named a 19-strong squad to travel amid concerns over the fitness of captain Dennis Lawrence and Andy Holt, both of whom were injured at the weekend, while teenage winger Matty Done is definitely ruled out by illness and utility man Dean Bennett is suspended following his sending off on Sunday.

The doubts have prompted the surprise inclusion of Lee Roche, who played a full 90 minutes for the reserves on Monday evening, but Smith claimed he had little choice.

"This is what happens when you get a lot of games in a short period of time, but we'll give Dennis and Andy every opportunity to recover," he added.

"Lee could come into the reckoning if there is an emergency, because if the two lads are both unfit, we'll be down to 17 players, although both he and Lee McEvilly have not played as much football as I would have liked.

"We've got cover at the back with Dave Bayliss, Alex Smith and Mike Williams, but in the absence of Bennett, there's only Simon Spender on the right - making Lee Roche the potential cover."

Unforced changes, however, seem unlikely. "I've certainly got options, but I have to decide whether changes will make the team better," said Smith (pictured below).

"You can't change just for the sake of it because there's no point in cutting off your nose to spite your face. If players do come in, I'm sure they won't let me down, but you are always more confident in going with the side that's as close as possible to your first-choice line-up."